Spinal cord stimulation and evidence-based medicine

John D. Markman, MD

Assistant Professor
Department of Neurosurgery (SMD)
University of Rochester
School of Medicine
Rochester, New York
The evidence base supporting spinal cord stimulation for patients with chronic pain has become more robust. Clinicians rightly regard SCS as an important option for a select subset of patients who, once appropriately identified, may demonstrate significant benefit across multiple functional and quality of life domains without some of the side effects associated with medical management.

References

Grabow TS, Tella PK, Raja SN. Spinal cord stimulation for complex regional pain syndrome: an evidence-based medicine review of the literature. Clin J Pain. 2003;19(6):371-83.
Kumar K, Taylor RS, Jacques L, et al. The effects of spinal cord stimulation in neuropathic pain are sustained: a 24-month follow-up of the prospective randomized controlled multicenter trial of the effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation. Neurosurgery. 2008;63(4):762-70.
Frey ME, Manchikanti L, Benyamin RM, et al. Spinal cord stimulation for patients with failed back surgery syndrome: a systematic review. Pain Physician. 2009;12(2):379-97.

Chronic opioid therapy and preventive services in rural primary care: an Oregon rural practice-based research network study.

Buckley DI, Calvert JF, Lapidus JA, et al.
Ann Fam Med. 2010;8(3):237-44.
PURPOSE:...

A different kind of co-morbidity: Understanding posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic pain

Beck JG, Clapp JD.
Psychol Trauma. 2011 Jun;3(2):101-108.
Many traumatic events leave...

The impact of enrollment in a specialized interdisciplinary neuropathic pain clinic

Garven A, Brady S, Wood S, Hatfield M, Bestard J, Korngut L, Toth C.
Pain Res Manag. 2011...

Association between urine drug test results and treatment outcome in high-risk chronic pain patients on opioids

Barth KS, Becker WC, Wiedemer NL, Mavandadi S, Oslin DW, Meghani SH, Gallagher RM.
J Addict...

The role of core strengthening for chronic low back pain.

Akuthota V, Standaert CJ, Chimes GP.
PM R. 2011 Jul;3(7):664-70.